As noted on GuildWars2.com, head-start access to Guild Wars 2 is now underway, allowing preorder customers to get underway in ArenaNet's MMORPG sequel. There have been some glitches in the process, and the Guild Wars 2 Twitter Feed has answers to questions from users about how to deal with various issues, and notes that the Trading Post is down at the moment, and there's currently no ETA for when it will return. Thanks John.

Unique characters, lots of customization, different worlds, nice use of vertical and horizontal level design, always - always - something to do, not so tied into a specific combat rotation like WoW, abilities that vary based upon your weapon, races that are different from one another, a willingness to have fun at times, no monthly fee, heavy on customization (dyes, armor sets, vanity items,) etc.

On the bad side of things, crafting seems a little wonky (or just overwhelming,) it lacks some of precise tactile feedback of WoW, the gem market is barely working at the moment...but that is about all I can come up with at the moment.

Long term, I am not sure if this is a raiding game, but it's a fun game. And for a single purchase? With the ability to spend money on any specific items if and when you want? Most of the free to play games feel lacking and I cannot help but be inclined to further dislike Blizzard for being so lazy and cheap with its development efforts...